YMCA Fairthorne Group

YMCA Fairthorne Group (YMCA FG) supports 40,000 children, young people, & families every year across Hampshire and IOW to ensure everyone has the opportunities they need to lead happy, healthy lives. YMCA FG provides homes for young adults who do not have a safe place to live, community centres & outdoor activities, and hosts the annual UK Young Carers Festival.

ymca-fg.org Fundraise for us

fundraising@ymca-fg.org

01489 785228

Registered charity no. 1090981

Member since August 2023

Latest News

2023 Young Carers Festival

The 2023 Young Carers Festival held at YMCA Fairthorne Manor brought over 1,000 Young Carers from all over the UK; from Wales, Cornwall, Sheffield, London and many more places.

The festival was a sight to behold, with captivating performances, thrilling games, delicious food, and an incredible sense of community.

This annual event over a single weekend is where many of these courageous and inspirational young people get to be their age, without the worry of the adult responsibilities they bear at home.

“From 12-15 I was a young carer for my mum, I felt like I lost out on a lot of my childhood because of it, I’m 16 now but this weekend was so amazing it allowed me to just be a kid again and it’s the first time I’ve truly felt loved and supported since losing her. So grateful for YMCA, wish I could go again, might have to come back as a volunteer.”

Just £250 could fund one Young Carer the opportunity to attend the 2024 event and goes towards our aim that everyone has the opportunities they need to lead happy, healthy lives, including providing this ‘me time’ for Young Carers.

About us

Sadly, over 168 young adults, aged between 18 and 25 in the UK are at risk of not having a safe place to live. Circumstances such as leaving the care system, cost-of-living crisis combined with low employment for this age group, young offenders, asylum seekers/refugees, victims of domestic abuse and family breakdowns can mean these young adults find themselves sofa surfing or sleeping rough. YMCA Fairthorne Group provides 160 bed spaces across Hampshire & IOW for these young people as well as emotional and practical support to help them move forward and live independently. We support them to either return to education, learn how to budget their finances & cook healthy meals, and help them seek employment. Our housing on the IOW is for young mum's and their babies where we also support them with parenting skills.

“Since I’ve been here, I have got my SIA License, passed my driving test, been studying to get my maths & English and am applying for jobs,” AB, resident in one of our housing settings.

Every year, we host the annual Young Carers Festival, where over 1,000 Young Carers attend a weekend of fun activities that gives them the chance to make new friends who understand their situation, can voice their concerns on how being a young carer affects their daily lives, and also gives them the chance to have some much-needed respite from their caring duties.

We also runs four community settings in Andover, Eastleigh, Newtown and Weston providing libraries, mother & baby groups, over 60’s Clubs, food banks, Youth Groups, hampers to families in need at Christmas and much more to help fight loneliness and social isolation that increased following Covid.

Your support means we can continue to help these young adults and families Belong, Contribute & Thrive.